Potential new employer asking for references against wishes stated on application form

[heartonsleeve]

Sorry - this might be a bit long.

I had an e-mail this morning to say that I was invited to interview for the job that I have applied for. I phoned to confirm that I could attend.

My present employer wasn't aware I was looking for a different job.

On my application form for the job I have the interview for, they asked for references, and then asked whether they could be contacted 'without further permission from me'. So I gave my present employer and ticked 'no'.

So this afternoon, my boss phones down to me and asks me to go up and see her. I sit down in her office and the first thing she says is 'potential place of work'? (ie, school name - in a questioning manner).

Anyway - without repeating conversation, she was a bit miffed I hadn't told her I was looking for work, and I fobbed her off with 'I wasn't - it just happened'.

My question is this. What shall I do about this new potential place of work asking for a reference from my present employer without consulting me, when it distinctly said in my application form that they shouln't?

Shall I mention it to them? If so, when? Before interview? At interview? After interview?

Where do I stand if I don't get the job and it makes relations difficult with my present boss?

I would be very grateful of any help/advice anybody could give.

Personally, if you want the other job, I wouldn't mention it until after you know whether you've got it or not.

Personally if that is the way the new company opperate there is no way I would want to go and work for them.

Protecting your privacy is a big deal.

Was it a standard application form for the local authority? These always seem to include this.

However, I have a feeling schools may be exempt from it all from some reason. But it should mention that ont he accompanying documents.

Are schools exempt under the Safeguarding legislation? You have to contact the previous employer before offering a position or something.

Thanks everybody. Yes, it was a local authority job application form.

I am checking back through the information to see whether it mentions it anywhere. I did read it all first though, and it didn't jump out at me at the time.